NAMWM Art Project

Arts Advocacy: 'Nothing About Me Without Me'

The Council and Weber Gallery have kicked off our latest community arts-engagement project serving individuals with disabilities. Professional artists working in a variety of media (sculpture, photography, digital media, collage, drawing, performing arts, etc.) will lead workshops from September 2016 through spring 2017 that provide participants with disabilities with the skills and tools to explore and share their personal stories through the creation of art. The project will culminate with film and video projects that will be produced by a team of University of Louisville doctoral students documenting the project in collaboration with Weber Gallery. Contact Weber Gallery at (502) 584-1239 or email Kelli Adanick at kelliadanick@gmail.com for more information. If you operate a program or agency serving individuals with disabilities and are interested in hosting a workshop, please let us know.

Fingerpainting Dreamscapes, 12-2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16 @ StudioWorks

Husband-and-wife stone sculptors Al & Penny Nelson will work hands-on with participants from St. Mary's Center and Down Syndrome of Louisville to create a limestone artwork.

Branding & Logo Design, noon-2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27, StudioWorks

Professional graphic designer Sarah Willoughby will lead this workshop helping artists at StudioWorks and Creative Diversity develop their own logos as a step toward developing a "personal brand" for their artwork.

StudioWorks artist Alicia Rexroat, right, and art therapist Shawna Dellecave lead a collage workshop at Down Syndrome of Louisville as part of the "Nothing About Me Without Me" project.

Artist stories

Many of the artists who collaborate with The Council on the “Nothing About Me Without Me” project have special reasons for being involved. Stone carvers Al & Penny Nelson take part in the partnership as a way to honor the memory of Penny’s sister Teddy, who had Down syndrome and passed away in 2002 at age 35. Penny shared this essay as a tribute to her sister.

Contacts

The Council on Development Disabilities 1151 So. Fourth Street Louisville, KY 40203